Short answer: Brass is copper with zinc and bronze is copper with tin or aluminium, so brass machines and polishes better for fittings and decoration while bronze wears and corrodes better for bearings, marine and springs, and the choice turns on machinability versus wear and seawater life, both supplied as certified bar, sheet and rod from our copper, brass and bronze lines.
At a Glance
What Sets Them Apart
Zinc versus tin and aluminium drives the difference, with the copper basis in our Copper Supplier; corrosion notes are in our Corrosion Resistance Guide.
Where Each Belongs
Brass suits fittings and decor and bronze suits bearings and marine, with the marine context in our Marine Offshore Guide and the comparison in our Copper vs Aluminum Guide; the brass basis is in our Brass Supplier.
Fabrication and Finish
Both machine and can be plated, with machining in our Machining Guide and finish in our Surface Treatment Guide and Passivation Guide.
Quality and Sourcing
Copper alloys are checked by inspection, with methods in our Quality Inspection Guide; buyers confirm grade via our Mill Test Certificate Guide and pack per our Export Packing Guide.
Get a Quote
Tell HXSCO your requirements and we will respond with a competitive quote and lead time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brass, especially free-cutting grades.
Bronze, for bearings and bushings.
Bronze, especially aluminium and manganese bronze.
Brass for golden decorative finish.
Confirm grade and certificate, then pack for export.
Source Brass or Bronze with HXSCO
HXSCO supplies brass and bronze bar, sheet, rod and tube in certified grades. Send alloy, form and quantity for a quote.